PHNOM PENH—Cambodian authorities on January 8 apprehended a suspect in the fatal shooting of Lim Kimya, a former member of the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).

According to a statement from Cambodia's National Police Commission, the suspect, identified as Ekkalak Pheanoi, a Thai national and former marine, will be extradited to Thailand at the request of Thai authorities.

Ekkalak allegedly fled Bangkok to Battambang province after killing the 74-year-old Kimya near Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, a prominent temple in Bangkok's Phra Nakhon district.

Lim Kimya served as a CNRP member of parliament from 2013 until 2018. His political career was disrupted in 2017 when the Cambodian court dissolved the party, leading to a ban on political activities for many of its members.

Prior to his involvement in politics, Kimya worked as a civil servant for the French Ministry of Economics and Finance from 1982 to 2014.

His tragic assassination has sparked strong condemnation and demands for a thorough and transparent investigation from rights groups and opposition leaders.